[44]

"What does that mean, sir?" asked Richard in confusion. He had just sat down, sipped a little coffee, still a bit jet lagged because there were many reports that had to be checked. Even at the airport, he was still being chased by assistants and clients who had to decide how their contracts would go forward.

It's not a problem for Richard because he's used to such busy activities. But if suddenly asked about Arini and her condition, he's also a bit worried about sorting out the words. Already since his arrival, both his future mother-in-law and father-in-law looked at him with a look that needed a firm answer.

"I feel that Arini has something to hide and you know it."

Richard glanced slightly at Arini who seemed to be nervous. Ah, if it's like this, you can be sure that the girl accidentally talked about what happened in Jakarta. It's not that Richard doesn't want to tell the story. He could have told her everything, then gallantly said, "I saved Arini from danger, sir, ma'am."

But there's also a risk if he tells the truth. reyhan is his son. Even if Reyhan was wrong, it would still reflect badly on Richard too. And that might hamper his upcoming wedding.

"You don't have to worry," Richard said with a faint smile. "I've done my best to make Arini comfortable and safe."

Rusdi didn't want to take his word for it. "Can't you tell me the details?"

Richard thought for a moment, "But can I talk to you only? I have my own concerns if you are listening."

Arini's mother obviously didn't accept this. She scowled while frowning unacceptably. "So you don't consider me as such? Not yet a legitimate son-in-law of this family has raised the war flag."

Richard smiled slightly. "It's not like that ma'am, but with all due respect, I feel that what I want to tell you in detail according to your request, needs to be analyzed and received properly. Because as you can see, nothing happened to Arini. Almost."

Rusdi looked thoughtfully at Richard as well as his wife. 

"You can't do that, sir. Is it true that you don't know what's going on? There is no secret play like that. it's fine. can't you understand the situation? If it's like this, you even have a big suspicion."

RUSDI remained silent, while Richard waited to see what his future in-laws would decide. Arini? Well, don't ask. Her face was white as if she was wearing a strange mask, her hands had been squeezing each other, back and forth also glancing at Richard as if to say there was no need to tell. It's not important either.

It's nothing, even if Richard tells what happened honestly, what if their marriage is canceled? It's unrelated too, but right ... one of the culprits is Richard's son. if his mother and father don't agree and are worried that the incident will happen again, how can they try?

Even though Arini was equally worried, she had faith that Richard would try to take care of her. The proof is that he wants to marry quickly, afraid that he can't protect himself. besides not being able to stand being close to Arini anyway. 

"But mom, don't make a fuss yet. It doesn't seem like a trivial matter that Richard will tell you," said Rusdi in the end. His eyes looked at his wife thoughtfully. Maybe Richard had his own judgment why he said things where he did not want to talk about what was hidden without his wife.

Whichever way you look at it, his wife responds to things with excitement. Sometimes you don't think about the words first, you just hit them without thinking about the effects later.

"Yes," replied love gruffly. "Mom, listen. I also have the right to know because it involves Arini. Especially until I find out that you're messing with Arini." Love's eyes immediately looked fiercely at Richard who was sitting not far from her husband.

"I hope what I'm telling you is not part of the things you have in your head."

Kasih scowled. Rusdi sighed and said, "please Richard, before we start talking about your wedding preparations, I really want to know what Arini is hiding."

"Okay." Richard said quietly, his eyes trying to speak wordlessly to the increasingly agitated Arini. surely the girl was worried about him. but no problem, for Richard who had the principle of honesty relieving burdensome lies, he was ready for the consequences.

Including regarding his marriage later. If it is not approved, then use the rough method; nikah lari. Because they have done something called marriage. So all that's left is to legalize their marriage.

Then Richard told me about what Arini and Susie were going through at that time, as well as the situation of himself who was still out of town but immediately caught up as soon as he heard the bad news. It was his driver who gave the news so that he could quickly follow to the location to save Arini. 

Fortunately it wasn't too late, although it must have left a lot of fear and trauma, especially for Susi. "I asked the doctor to accompany Susi and make sure that nothing happened that could disturb her later. The bad experience of being held captive by unknown people, plus just coming to Jakarta, is definitely not something that is easily forgotten."

"But nothing happened to Arini, right?" her mother asked with a look of horror. She had never imagined that there was a kidnapping story that Arini had experienced. She thought it was only in soap operas or action movies. But it turned out that her daughter had experienced it.

"Nothing mom." Arini sighed softly. "Fortunately, the police came quickly and caught the man."

"Do you know Rin?" Rusdi asked with a worried look. 

"No, sir. But when I was questioned, he was dealing drugs like that. Maybe he was randomly kidnapped." 

Arini had been listening to what Richard said. Minus the Reyhan part of course. Arini understood why Richard didn't mention Reyhan. Even though she hated the figure of her ex-boyfriend, she still thought about if Reyhan was charged with drug possession. As far as she knew him, Reyhan had never been in contact with these items.

Even so, Arini wants Reyhan to be punished accordingly. He has spread fear, trauma, and harassment to her. It's good to be free quickly. I don't want to. Fortunately, Richard is broad-minded, it doesn't matter if Reyhan is punished by others rather than him who has often advised him. 

Who knows after this incident, Reyhan could realize his mistake a little.

"Next time you be careful. I didn't think that in Jakarta you could be the target of bad people like that."

"His name is also a bad person who might think who wants to be harmed." RUSDI let out a long sigh. "But you made sure Arini was safe, right Richard?"

"Already sir." Richard smiled. At least what he said was in line with Arini's words. The girl did not mention too much about Reyhan but more about Alex who had a risk of revenge. If you get out of jail later. You don't know when it will come out. "That's why since then, I have strictly guarded Arini. I use bodyguards to make sure that Arini doesn't experience the same thing again. I'm sure, actually, Arini is also scared but trying to be strong."

Rusdi nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Kasih was seen sobbing sadly. Occasionally expressing her gratitude that Arini could be free from nightmares. You can't imagine in a mother's mind, her daughter being held captive and could ... no, no, love must immediately get rid of that bad thought. don't let what flashed through her brain come true.

"And for this reason too you are speeding up the wedding?"

"Yes, sir," Richard replied firmly. "So that one day when I'm out of town on business or maybe even on an overseas visit, I can take Arini with me without needing special permission from you or me. Just to give the news, of course, I can ask Arini to do that. But if it's permission to take my girlfriend on business, doesn't it seem difficult for me to get approval?"

"Yes." RUSDI laughed. "It could be Arini who is being held captive by you."

Richard laughed. He glanced at Arini who pouted unacceptably. 

"Isn't that the story, sir? I'm okay. I remember it sometimes, but it doesn't matter anymore. I'm sure Richard can take good care of it. You and mom don't need to worry too much."

Kasih rubbed Arini's shoulder lightly. "Yes, Rin."

"So can we continue talking about my and Arini's wedding preparations?" Richard straightened his back slightly. "Mom doesn't doubt me, right? Did you approve of us?"

***

"Don't run out of energy like that rin," Richard said with a laugh. This morning the air in the village where Arini lived was really refreshing. It's not like the stuffy Jakarta, which in the morning is full of pollution. It makes you short of breath and the air is unhealthy.

But what else could she do when life in Jakarta gave her so much wealth?

"I'm still sleepy Richard," Arini complained with a shaky step. "I can't sleep because mom talks all the time."

Richard laughed. "Why don't you take the time to talk to mom? She says she misses you."

"Ih, don't you understand how I miss you? She's usually not this fussy. She asks about everything and everything is full of worry. It's as if the party will make her really stressed. Shouldn't I be the one stressed?"

Richard rubbed the top of Arini's head affectionately. "The face of a worried mother. You're weird sometimes, Rin. I miss my mom but I don't want to listen to her nagging voice. Never felt the loss of a nagging parent, have you?"

"Richard ih," Arini smacked Richard's motorized arm lightly. This morning when he got permission to take Arini for a morning run, he had become the new center of attention. Many men and women gathered at Arini's house to prepare for the wedding ceremony that would soon be held there. Most of them discussed the place so that it could be tidied up first before putting up the tent.

Arini wasn't too bothered. She had left that part to the people her father trusted.

"I see." Richard laughed. "I sometimes miss the voice of my mother who often advised me not to eat late even though she was busy working."

Arini was silent as Richard's voice changed slightly. As if holding back the longing for the figure he was talking about. as a sense of sympathy, Arini chose to hold her future husband's hand instead. tightening the link between their hands so that Richard no longer felt sad. "Sorry."

Richard just smiled. "Use the time well, okay? Don't be like me, you know. A lot of time is wasted thinking about personal interests. Even away from the kids."

Arini nodded her understanding. "How is the child?" No, Arini didn't want to call him by his usual name. Let it go, if Richard got angry she could just give him a reason. Wasn't he scared to death to see the looks of Reyhan and Alex at that time? It was like Arini wanted to be pounced on alive and given memories that she wouldn't forget for the rest of her life.

"As far as I know, he's fine. He didn't do anything strange and can blend in. Separated from Alex according to Richard's request because their cases are different. Richard also accompanied Reyhan with the right legal counsel."

"Thank goodness." Arini said briefly. "Shall we walk to the end?"

"If you're not tired." Richard laughed. "But when we're done, I want to ask you a favor, can you?"

"What favor?" During his relationship with Richard, he had never asked her for a favor. How useful would that be? At the very least, Richard considered Arini reliable. 

"Did you know that Rieka was pregnant?"

Arini was silent. She couldn't believe what Richard had just said. "S-seriously?"

"Yes. Sauya also found out when Reyhan was admitted at that time." 

Since there was no response from Arini, Richard continued his speech. "I'm trying to be in a neutral position. If you object to my request, I won't insist."

"What is it?" Arini asked quietly.

"Come with me to see Rieka. I need to make sure that the girl is really pregnant with Reyan's child."

"Why don't you take care of Rieka? Don't you have plenty of time before you go to jail?" said Arini with an annoyed look. 

"Reyhan doesn't want to take responsibility."

Arini gaped. "Wow... that kid is crazy."

"That's why I want to break up the child's madness. Even though Reyhan doesn't want to take responsibility, I still have morals as a grandfather. Even if it's true that Rieka is pregnant with Reyhan's child."

"Will they get married?" Arini asked spontaneously.

"Will you be sad if they get married?"

"Ih!" Arini chuckled. "I don't care if they want to do somersaults. All I care about is that I'll see Rieka again, and Rieka again. I'll be your daughter-in-law." After saying that, Arini suddenly laughed. "I originally wanted to be your daughter-in-law, but instead I became your wife."

"Yes." Richard laughed too. "But do you want to accompany me? Just to make sure."

"Yes, dear. No problem. Let it not be a burden in the future even though it's not your responsibility."

Richard's smile was wide. "Thank you my future wife who has a very wide heart."

"Uh but how did you know that Reyhan didn't want to take responsibility for Rieka?"

"My confidant watched them while they were in the hospital."

"What a drama that was?" Arini chuckled. "That's the result of being selfish. Doing bad things to me, ehhh already pregnant, there's no accountability anyway. I don't know why I keep laughing."

"Laugh before laughter is forbidden."

Arini laughed even more. "I can't wait to meet Rieka and laugh at her every now and then. She also laughed at me a lot back then. So you don't need to spend your energy on advising me to behave better."

"Not really. Take it easy. I always support you."

"Ih, I love you even more."

Richard chose to laugh it off. Their hands are still clasped not to be released, until the point they will be separated by God.